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Rumours of
a marvellous case of healing came to the Editor of “Confidence” from the
neighbourhood of Bedford.
It was corroborated by a reliable friend who had visited the case. Then a
copy of a Bedford
newspaper told him of places of worship crowded to hear the story from the
lips of one raised almost from the dead. Miss Annie Freeman was at one time a
member of the Bunyan Meeting Sunday School at Bedford, but for twenty-two
years ending April, 1910, lay in bed a helpless but trustful Christian,
sometimes longing for death because of her sufferings. On May 9th of this
year she was so well that she walked twelve
miles over hilly country. The lessons she gives in her testimony are most
helpful. (She appears to be about thirty-five years of age.) We would advise
our readers to obtain a copy of the testimony from which we now quote.* It is
illustrated by attractive photographs of the invalid in her bed, and the same
sister well, and perfectly healed.
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We give
here extracts. She writes:--
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“For many
years the lower parts of my body, from my waist downwards, were cold, limp, and
lifeless. My feet were flat to the bed, one foot always lying under the
other. Whenever I was lifted in and out of bed, I usually became unconscious,
and the upper part of my body became quite rigid. During my long affliction,
twenty-four doctors visited me at different times.
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***
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Whilst
lying in my little bed, on the night of February 16th, 1909, I suddenly fell
into a quiet slumber which seemed to last but for a moment, for a strange
feeling took possession of me that I was now about to be raised up from my
bed of affliction, and the following vision then vividly opened up before me.
I was being conveyed rapidly away from my room to some place unknown to me.
Eventually I saw myself lying in a comfortable room; the walls were covered
with a nice white paper with a border at the top; on the wall facing me hung
a beautiful text of Scripture with the words: “O Lord, undertake for me.” My
eyes then travelled to the window, which was a large one, and outside I could
see trees and green fields. Prayer was being made in the room, and the voices
that I heard were familiar to me; I knew that I was in the hands of dear
friends who were tenderly caring for me. I saw then I was gradually and
surely gaining strength in answer to their faithful prayers, and eventually,
as the vision vanished, I saw myself completely restored to health and
strength. I then awoke!
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Imagine if
you can my amazement upon awakening, having passed through such a scene, so impressive
and realistic. It was not an ordinary dream, for quite suddenly I seemed to
lose all self-consciousness, and the experience was such that I had never
previously realized in my life; at once I accepted it as something
supernatural. As soon as my thoughts became calm and collected, a powerful
impression took hold of me that God had in this way been dealing with me, and
that it was His intention now to raise me up from my bed of affliction. The
awfulness and solemnity of the vision restrained me from opening my heart to
anyone, but at length, after two months, I told my dear mother.
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***
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I now had
the impression that the place was being prepared for me wherein I was to be
healed. One day a friend, Miss S----------, whom I had told of my vision, informed
me that she had been led to lay by a sum of money to contribute towards the
cost of a motor-car when the right time should arrive for my removal. This
was on the 18th
October, 1909, and the same day I received a
letter from other friends who had often visited me and who lived on the Chiltern
Hills: “We
have visited you often enough, when are you coming to visit us?” I
therefore handed my friend the letter to read. At this juncture, let me say, whatever might have
induced my friends to write in the strain they did, I felt constrained to
regard the letter seriously, and strange to say, after much earnest prayer
for guidance, accepted it as an invitation. Somehow I could not separate the
vision from this letter, and it seemed that circumstances were shaping
themselves towards my departure from the house in which so many years of my
life had been spent. But, before leaving, my friend came to see me, being
much concerned about my taking such a long journey at that season of the
year, especially in my weak state, and further desiring me to be quite sure
that their home was really the place the Lord had prepared.
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Up to this
time I had not mentioned my leaving home to my doctor, who I feared would
strongly object to such a step, but, believing that the course I was about to
take was the right one, I prayed that God would cause him to consent to my
going, and my prayer was answered. On Thursday, November 25th, 1909,
all arrangements were made for my departure, and on that day a little company
met in my room, commending me to God, and praying for a safe journey. I left
my home at Keysoe Row, near Bedford,
about 11 a.m.,
in company with my dear mother and friends. During the journey one of the
motor tyres punctured, and in this I saw the hand of God. The vibration of
the car caused me much pain and uneasiness, but while the tyre was being
repaired I had a time of quiet rest. I arrived about 3.30 p.m., not much
the worse for the journey, but towards the end I relapsed into a state of
unconsciousness. After recovering from the effects of this long ride I took a
survey of my room, the window, the general surroundings, and everything to my
joy and surprise corresponded to the vision of February 16th, 1909,
even to the text of Scripture--it was hanging opposite me as I had previously
seen it. I then thanked God and took courage.
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***
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THE
MIRACLE OF HEALING. On Thursday morning, April 14th, 1910, whilst
partaking of my breakfast, my soul became filled with a holy joy and I heard
a voice speaking: “Daughter, arise, go work in my vineyard.” There followed
immediately a rush of physical life through the whole of my feeble frame; it
seemed like an electric shock. My feet assumed their natural position, my
ankle bones received strength, and warm life blood came coursing through my
veins, and a delightful sense of health and vigour possessed me. I
immediately arose and left my bed, walking to the head, and, after putting on
my dressing-gown, I walked into the kitchen where my mother and friends were
having their breakfast. I knocked and said: “Please, may I come in?” The door
was opened. I cannot describe what followed, but we wept, praised, and
rejoiced together. I remember my dear mother was the first to rise, and she
exclaimed, with arms uplifted: “Oh Annie! what hath God done?’’ Within a few
minutes I walked upstairs and dressed myself with the clothes I had long been
preparing. Later in the day I went out for a walk in the shoes I had brought
with me. On the following day I walked three miles. So complete is my
recovery that not an ache, or pain, or weakness remains.”
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* To be
obtained from Miss Annie Freeman, Bellingdon,
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near
Chesham. Bucks. (3d.. postage 1d.)
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From: Confidence, Vol. III, No. 11, November
1910, pag. 259, 261, 262, Sunderland,
England
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